2015-2016 Program Handbook

Transcription

2015-2016 Program Handbook
Education Career Alternatives Program
2015-2016
Program Handbook
2015-2016
Procedural
Handbook
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
About ECAP
2
General Expectations
3
Overview of Requirements
8
Training
9
Testing
10
Teaching
17
Financial Requirements
19
Student Teaching Option
20
Policies
23
1
TOC
2015-2016
Procedural
Handbook
ABOUT ECAP
Our Mission
The mission of ECAP is to partner with independent school districts and approved private schools to identify, train, and support classroom teachers who
exhibit character traits of integrity, abundance mentality, and maturity so that
the school children of Texas receive an exemplary education.
Our Values
Excellence: We are committed to excellence by continuously improving
the quality of the training provided. This is done through a commitment to
competent staff and instructional personnel, effective leadership, and responsible stewardship of resources.
Integrity:
In building partnerships with school districts and universities,
we are committed to and accountable for conducting our professional and
personal lives with integrity. Our goal is to build relationships founded on
loyalty and trustworthiness.
Respect:
We are committed to respecting the dignity of all persons and
to foster an educational culture characterized by accountability for requirements, dates, places and deadlines. Our expectation is that ECAP staff,
training consultants and teacher-interns will enjoy mutual respect.
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ABOUT ECAP
ECAP Staff
Sharon Fikes
Executive Director
E-mail: [email protected]
Scott Fikes
Deputy Executive Director
E-mail: [email protected]
Sheryl Woods
Director for Online Services
E-mail: [email protected]
Micah Fikes
Coordinator for Curriculum and Technology
E-mail: [email protected]
Carroll Fikes
Director of Business Services
E-mail: [email protected]
Leslie Natarelli
Office Manager
E-mail: [email protected]
Lindsey Schroder
Program Information Support
E-mail: [email protected]
ECAP, Ltd
PO Box 162179
Fort Worth, TX 76161-2179
Phone: 817-284-7731
Fax: 817-284-3396
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G E N E R A L E X P E C TAT I O N S F O R E C A P
PA RT I C I PA N T S
Educator’s Code of Ethics
ECAP program participants and representatives are expected to read, understand
and abide by the Educator’s Code of Ethics found in TAC 247.2
Texas Administrative Code
TITLE 19
PART 7
CHAPTER 247
EDUCATION
STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
EDUCATORS' CODE OF ETHICS
RULE §247.2
Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators
Enforceable Standards.
(1) Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices and Performance.
(A) Standard 1.1. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in deceptive
practices regarding official policies of the school district, educational institution, educator preparation
program, the Texas Education Agency, or the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and its
certification process.
(B) Standard 1.2. The educator shall not knowingly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel,
property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.
(C) Standard 1.3. The educator shall not submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement, expenses, or
pay.
(D) Standard 1.4. The educator shall not use institutional or professional privileges for personal or
partisan advantage.
(E) Standard 1.5. The educator shall neither accept nor offer gratuities, gifts, or favors that impair professional judgment or to obtain special advantage. This standard shall not restrict the acceptance of
gifts or tokens offered and accepted openly from students, parents of students, or other persons or organizations in recognition or appreciation of service.
(F) Standard 1.6. The educator shall not falsify records, or direct or coerce others to do so.
(G) Standard 1.7. The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws.
(H) Standard 1.8. The educator shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or a responsibility on
the basis of professional qualifications.
(I) Standard 1.9. The educator shall not make threats of violence against school district employees,
school board members, students, or parents of students.
(J) Standard 1.10. The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.
(K) Standard 1.11. The educator shall not intentionally or knowingly misrepresent his or her employment history, criminal history, and/or disciplinary record when applying for subsequent employment.
(L) Standard 1.12. The educator shall refrain from the illegal use or distribution of controlled substances and/or abuse of prescription drugs and toxic inhalants.
(M) Standard 1.13. The educator shall not consume alcoholic beverages on school property or during
school activities when students are present.
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Texas Administrative Code, continued...
(2) Ethical Conduct Toward Professional Colleagues.
(A) Standard 2.1. The educator shall not reveal confidential health or personnel information concerning colleagues unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
(B) Standard 2.2. The educator shall not harm others by knowingly making false statements about a
colleague or the school system.
(C) Standard 2.3. The educator shall adhere to written local school board policies and state and federal laws regarding the hiring, evaluation, and dismissal of personnel.
(D) Standard 2.4. The educator shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political, professional, or citizenship rights and responsibilities.
(E) Standard 2.5. The educator shall not discriminate against or coerce a colleague on the basis of
race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, family status, or sexual orientation.
(F) Standard 2.6. The educator shall not use coercive means or promise of special treatment in order
to influence professional decisions or colleagues.
(G) Standard 2.7. The educator shall not retaliate against any individual who has filed a complaint
with the SBEC or who provides information for a disciplinary investigation or proceeding under this
chapter.
3) Ethical Conduct Toward Students.
(A) Standard 3.1. The educator shall not reveal confidential information concerning students unless
disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.
(B) Standard 3.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or
safety of the student or minor.
(C) Standard 3.3. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misrepresent facts
regarding a student.
(D) Standard 3.4. The educator shall not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, gender, disability,
national origin, religion, family status, or sexual orientation.
(E) Standard 3.5. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engage in physical
mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of a student or minor.
(F) Standard 3.6. The educator shall not solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship
with a student or minor.
(G) Standard 3.7. The educator shall not furnish alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any person
under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child or knowingly allow any
person under 21 years of age unless the educator is a parent or guardian of that child to consume alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs in the presence of the educator.
(H) Standard 3.8. The educator shall maintain appropriate professional educator-student relationships
and
boundaries based on a reasonably prudent educator standard.
(I) Standard 3.9. The educator shall refrain from inappropriate communication with a student or minor, including, but not limited to, electronic communication such as cell phone, text messaging,
email, instant messaging, blogging, or other social network communication. Factors that may be considered in assessing whether the communication is inappropriate include, but are not limited to:
(i) the nature, purpose, timing, and amount of the communication;
(ii) the subject matter of the communication;
(iii) whether the communication was made openly or the educator attempted to conceal the
communication;
(iv) whether the communication could be reasonably interpreted as soliciting sexual contact
or a romantic relationship;
(v) whether the communication was sexually explicit; and
(vi) whether the communication involved discussion(s) of the physical or sexual attractiveness or the sexual history, activities, preferences, or fantasies of either the educator or the
student.
Source Note: The provisions of this §247.2 adopted to be effective March 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 1022; amended
to be effective August 22, 2002, 27 TexReg 7530; amended to be effective December 26, 2010, 35 TexReg
11242
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G E N E R A L E X P E C TAT I O N S F O R E C A P
PA RT I C I PA N T S
Due Diligence
As a teacher, you should hold your students to high standards. You will require
that they read your directions, follow your procedures and become self-motivated
learners as they make their way through your course of instruction. ECAP holds
the same expectation of our interns. We have endeavored over the years to improve our information delivery systems so that our interns have access to important information when they need it. In turn, interns are expected to show due
diligence in becoming familiar with the process.
Actively investigate all of the steps and requirements and learn how to navigate
to the information you require. Interns should always feel free to contact our office when they have questions, but we will expect them to have some familiarization with the process when they do so.
It is the intern’s responsibility to study and understand the following ECAP publications and online resources:

Procedural Handbook

ECAP Agreements

Intern Personal Information Page (IPIP)

Moodle Online Courses and Assignments
Note that the Intern Personal Information Page and Moodle Online Courses and
Assignments will be adjusted periodically as the intern progresses toward certification. It is therefore required that each intern monitor these online resources on
a regular basis while participating in any ECAP certification program.
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Communication and
Information Dissemination
This Handbook is provided for the purpose of disseminating pertinent information about the
Education Career Alternatives Program. Candidates in ECAP are ultimately responsible to read
the Handbook and complete requirements for Standard Certification.
Information about the program will be disseminated in the following ways:
 Your Personal Online Account at www.ecapteach.com
 ECAP Online Course System
 ECAP web site announcements
 Oral instructions at meetings
 Written communication to individual interns
 E-mail
 Phone calls
If an intern is not sure about dates or activities, it is his or her responsibility to get in touch with
the ECAP staff member assigned to him or her for clarification.
Please be responsible to check the online course system, email and posted announcements to
learn about requirements, dates, places, and deadlines as these are the primary means of communication.
The IPIP has been established on the ECAP website and will be updated regularly. Interns
should log in to their IPIP to confirm requirements and deadlines at least once each week while
completing the certification program.
If an intern has a name, address or phone number change, it is his or her responsibility to notify
the ECAP office. A change of address and change of name can be updated on the IPIP. It is also
the responsibility of the intern to notify the ECAP office of change of teaching status (i.e. resigned, transferred, etc.). Failure to comply makes adequate communication difficult and failure to notify ECAP of a change in teaching status may result in fee forfeiture under certain conditions.
Each intern is also required to read and respond to (when appropriate) all email, telephone and
course-based communications from ECAP in a timely manner.
Americans with Disabilities Act: It is the intent of ECAP, Ltd. to comply with the “Americans
with Disabilities Act” and all other applicable statutes. ECAP, Ltd. participants should make
ECAP, Ltd. aware of impairments or disabilities by filing a formal request for accommodations.
Participants should not assume that ECAP is aware of disabilities or impairments without prior
notification. Such notification should be addressed to the ECAP, Ltd. Executive Director. In
some instances documentation of needs may be required in order for proper assessment and arrangement of accommodations to be made. Notification to ECAP, Ltd. should be made as early
as possible after acceptance into the program.
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O V E RV I E W O F R E Q U I R E M E N T S
Training
Prior to recommendation of the standard certificate an intern must complete a minimum of 300 hours of training. In addition, specific curriculum must be addressed during the course of this training as mandated by TAC 228.30.
Training requirements are addressed in detail under each program type heading.
Testing
Prior to recommendation of the standard certificate an intern must pass any required
content exam (usually TExES exams) and the appropriate Pedagogy and Professional
Responsibilities (PPR) exam.
Content exams should be taken as early in the process as possible and may have prerequesites.
The PPR exams have two prerequesites:
- Completion of Pedagogy course (online)
- Attendance and completion of PPR Face to Face review
Specific testing requirements are addressed under the Areas of Certification heading
Teaching
Prior to recommendation of the standard certificate an intern must successfully complete a full contract year of teaching as the teacher of record in a TEA accredited school.
Success is determined by teaching performance as observed by the teacher’s campus
principal and the Field Supervisor (aka ECAP Advisor).
Since a full contract year is required, certification will not be recommended prior to the
end of the first contract year in which an intern is being monitored.
The teaching assignment must be in the area of certification being pursued.
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TRAINING
Description of Coursework
PROB101 - Field Based Experience
The course incorporates a structured workbook to document the identification, understanding and observation of specific classroom activities, tools techniques,
classroom management, assessment, and differentiated instruction. Interns complete a 32 page workbook and submit it in a digital format to ECAP.
ACAD101-399: Academy Coursework
These courses contain a pre-study component as well as assessments that cover
the content delivered during ECAP Academy. Interns will be expected to log in and
complete the pre-study prior to academy and the academy assessments each day
during the face to face academy training. Specific course titles and requirements
will be distributed to ECAP Academy participants.
INTN300-399: Internship Coursework
These courses are to be completed during the internship (teaching) phase of the
program. The courses are delivered in online format and cover a broad range of
topics including classroom management, lesson planning and using technology in
the classroom. Participants will receive this course set with due dates upon acquiring a qualifying teaching position.
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TESTING
Required Exams
Before a Standard Certificate can be issued, the intern must pass all appropriate content and pedagogy exams. In
most cases, these exams come from a family of tests called TExES exams.
ECAP advises that interns pass their content specific TExES exams as early in the process as possible. These
tests are available to degreed individuals through PACT (Pre-Admission Content Testing) at the
www.texes.ets.org website. The most common required testing requirements are displayed in the table below.
This table should be used only as a guide to inform you of your probable testing requirements. Please consult
with your school’s certification officer or with ECAP to determine your official requirements.
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources 6-12
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources 6-12 (272)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Agricultural Science and Technology 6-12
Agricultural Science and Technology 6-12 (172)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
American Sign Language
American Sign Language (ASL) (184)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Art EC-12
Art EC-12 (178)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Bilingual Core Subjects EC-6
Core Subjects EC-6 (291)
Bilingual Education Supplemental (164)
Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) Spanish (190)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Braille
Braille (183)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Business and Finance 6-12
Business and Finance 6-12 (276)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
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TESTING
Required Exams
Business Education 6-12
Business Education 6-12 (176)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Chemistry 7-12
Chemistry 7-12 (240)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Computer Science 8-12
Computer Science 8-12 (141)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Core Subjects EC-6
Core Subjects EC-6 (291)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Core Subjects EC-6 Bilingual
Core Subjects EC-6 (291)
Bilingual Education Supplemental (164)
Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) Spanish (190)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Core Subjects EC-6 ESL
Core Subjects EC-6 (291)
English as a Second Language/Supplemental (154)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Core Subjects 4-8
Core Subjects 4-8 (211)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Core Subjects 4-8 Bilingual
Core Subjects 4-8 (211)
Bilingual Education Supplemental (164)
Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) Spanish (190)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
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TESTING
Required Exams
Core Subjects 4-8 ESL
Core Subjects 4-8 (211)
English as a Second Language/Supplemental (154)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Dance 8-12
Dance 8-12 (179)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
English Language Arts and Reading 4-8
English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 (117)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
English Language Arts and Reading 7-12
English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 (231)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies 4-8
English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies 4-8 (113)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Health EC-12
Health EC-12 (157)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Health Science 6-12
Health Science 6-12 (273)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Health Science Technology Education 8-12
Health Science Technology Education 8-12 (173)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
History 7-12
History 7-12 (233)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
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TESTING
Required Exams
Journalism 7-12
Journalism 7-12 (256)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Languages Other Than English French
Languages Other Than English (LOTE) French (610)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Languages Other Than English German
Languages Other Than English (LOTE) German (611)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Languages Other Than English Latin
Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Latin (612)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Languages Other Than English Spanish
Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Spanish (613)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Life Science 7-12
Life Science 7-12 (238)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Marketing 6-12
Marketing 6-12 (275)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Marketing Education 8-12
Marketing Education 8-12 (175)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Mathematics 4-8
Mathematics 4-8 (115)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Mathematics 7-12
Mathematics 7-12 (235)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
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TESTING
Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering 6-12
Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering 6-12 (274)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Mathematics/Science 4-8
Mathematics/Science 4-8 (114)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Music EC-12
Music EC-12 (177)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Physical Education EC-12
Physical Education EC-12 (158)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Physical Science 6-12
Physical Science 6-12 (237)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Physics/Mathematics 7-12
Physics/Mathematics 7-12 (243)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Science 4-8
Science 4-8 (116)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Science 7-12
Science 7-12 (236)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Social Studies 4-8
Social Studies 4-8 (118)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Social Studies 7-12
Social Studies 7-12 (232)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
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TESTING
Special Education EC-12
Special Education EC-12 (161)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Special Education Supplemental
Special Education Supplemental (163)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Speech 7-12
Speech 7-12 (129)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Technology Applications 8-12
Technology Applications 8-12 (139)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Technology Applications EC-12
Technology Applications EC-12 (142)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Technology Education 6-12
Technology Education 6-12 (171)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Theatre EC-12
Theatre EC-12 (180)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 (160)
Trade and Industrial Education 6-12
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities for Trade and Industrial Education 6-12
(270)
* no content test is required
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TESTING
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Exam
The following conditions must be met in order to receive permission to register for the
PPR exam:



Program participant must be in a teaching position as teacher of record or in
the classroom setting as a student teacher,
Program participant must complete the online course titled Pedagogy, and
Program participant must attend and complete the PPR Face to Face review
held by ECAP.
Once these conditions are met, please contact ECAP to obtain permission to register for
your exam at www.texes.ets.org.
TOEFL
Graduates from universities outside the US must provide proof of oral English language
proficiency by passing the oral proficiency portion of the TOEFL (an internet based
Test of English as a Foreign Language) prior to program acceptance.
Content Exams
For content exam approval (by ECAP) the candidate must demonstrate content
knowledge either by passing an accepted content exam review or by completing 24
hours of college coursework in the desired content with 12 of those hours in upper level
(3000 or higher) courses.
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TEACHING
Performance Requirements:
In addition to the training , testing and financial requirements, each intern must:
-Secure a contract as a Teacher of Record with a TEA accredited public, private or
charter school
-Teach the equivalent of one school year (180 days)
-Score proficient on the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS) or
the alternative district teacher appraisal instrument.
-Consistently provide a supportive physical, emotional and academic environment for
children
-Provide a professional presence in the classroom and on campus that exemplifies a
good employee
-Adhere to the Educator’s Code of Ethics and to his/her published school policies
- Receive a positive recommendation from his/her principal and ECAP advisor.
ECAP Field Advisors:
The Education Career Alternatives Program participant typically has two levels of mentor
assistance available. The campus mentor, assigned by the building principal, is available for
immediate assistance and the ECAP Field Advisor is available for a second level of assistance. Field Advisors are educators who have had several years of experience both in classrooms and in administrative positions. The outstanding work of field advisors is a major contribution to the success of ECAP.
A Field Advisor will be assigned to each intern. They are an integral part of the program
and are available to guide interns through the first year of training. They are one of the
strongest advocates for interns. Please consider your Field Advisor as your “best friend” during this school year and feel free to go to him or her with your concerns or questions.
It is important to make your Field Advisor aware of any situation that could affect your status.
Because the Field Advisors stay in close contact with ECAP staff, you will receive prompt
support if we are aware of situations.
Evaluation and Determination:
During the final weeks of the internship year ECAP will petition your advisor and your campus administrator for an evaluation of your professional and classroom performance. These
evaluations will play a key role in determining whether the intern has satisfied the performance requirements required prior to recommendation of the Standard Certificate.
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TEACHING
Advice for the first year:
ECAP is made aware of each intern’s performance as the internship year progresses.
As a result, we are acutely aware of the common pitfalls to the certification process.
Believe it or not, classroom performance is not the most common undoing of our interns.
The problem most commonly encountered is the intern’s relationship with campus
personnel and administration. You should have a healthy, respectful and professional
attitude toward all campus personnel. Be careful to remember that you are the newbie
in the eyes of the other teachers and don’t disrespect the methods, nor refuse the advice of your more experienced co-workers (no matter how wrong they are). Always be
polite, even when they are not. Always be professional, even when they are not. And
always know that they are testing you, even when it appears that they are not.
Without seeming arrogant or rude, avoid the break room. That is where careers are
destroyed. You should be busy enough that lunch in your room seems appropriate anyway. Never engage in campus gossip. Teachers are often politically minded and unfortunately many teachers have grown bitter. Find the ones that really love kids and
make them your best friends.
Finally - NEVER, NEVER, NEVER be late to school!
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FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Fee Schedule and Conditions
In addition to the conditions set out in the Intern Agreements document, the following conditions apply.
To obtain a recommendation for a Standard Certificate, ECAP interns must complete the payment of all
fees. In addition, to obtain a Probationary certificate during the internship process, Interns must be in
good financial standing with ECAP. This includes Training and Support fees in cases where a school
doesn’t allow payroll deduction or where a school or ECAP fails to initiate the appropriate payroll deduction from the intern’s salary. In these cases it is the intern’s responsibility to send payment(s) directly to ECAP as scheduled.
The following fees apply to all interns
Fee Schedule:
Application
ECAP Academy Pre-Study
ECAP Academy
Training and Support
Total Fees
$50
$100
$400
$3500
$4050
Upon application
Upon Enrollment
Pay by June 20th
Payroll deduction
* Training and support fees are payroll deducted at a rate of $350 per month once a
teaching position is accepted by the intern.
Conditions:
 All fees paid to ECAP are non-refundable.
 For any items returned unpaid a $25.00 NSF fee will be assessed.
 For ECAP Academy payments received after the due date a $25.00 late fee will be
assessed
 For Training and Support payments received after the due date a $25.00 late fee
will be assessed
 A $10.00 maintenance fee will be assessed for any incomplete course in which the
intern needs to be re-enrolled. The enrollment period for each course is one calendar year.
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STUDENT TEACHING OPTION
Student Teachers will generally progress through their requirements in the following manner:
Phase I
Meet preliminary requirements for acceptance:
-Successful Interview
-Meet acceptance through content specific testing, transcripts that indicate proficiency, or both
Phase II
Register for and attend pre-teaching training :
-ECAP Academy
Phase III
Complete the Student Teaching unpaid internship:
-ECAP handles your placement
-Complete Internship, internship period training and testing
-Receive a positive recommendation from Field Advisor and Mentor teacher
-Apply for a Standard certificate
The student teaching option is designed to be completed in one semester rather
than a full year. The intern receives daily instruction from his/her cooperating
teacher as well as periodic visits from his/her ECAP advisor. This route works
well for individuals who are apprehensive about running their own classroom.
While the student teaching environment is an ideal way to learn during your
first year, it does have drawbacks. The internship is unpaid, and the fees paid to
ECAP are necessarily escalated so that the intern can be certified after only one
semester in the program.
Each phase of the program comes with its own set of standards and requirements which are described in this handbook. In order to receive a Standard Certificate, the requirements for each of these phases must be met along with additional testing and financial requirements.
The process of earning a Standard Teaching Certificate is complex. It is important, not only to educate yourself in the requirements, but to be aware of all
the important due dates and deadlines along the way.
See Communication and Information Dissemination in the General Expectations
section of this catalog for details.
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STUDENT TEACHING OPTION
Performance Requirements:
In addition to the training , testing and financial requirements, each intern must:
-Co-teach the equivalent of one school semester
-Consistently provide a supportive physical, emotional and academic environment
for children
-Score proficient or above in all domains in the final evaluation of the student teacher’s performance.
-Provide a professional presence in the classroom and on campus that exemplifies a
good employee
-Adhere to the Educator’s Code of Ethics and to his/her published school policies
Student Teaching Experience Schedule:
The semester schedule for the student teaching experience is shown below. The schedule
(with assignments) is also demonstrated in the Student Teaching course:
Week
Activities
1
Observe opening school activities
2
Observe and participate in classroom activities. Work with small
groups assuming greater responsibilities over time.
Plan small group activities.
Begin planning for large group
activities.
3-4
Observe and expand responsibilities for small group activities.
Teach 1 to 2 lessons for the full
class.
Evaluate student progress in the
small group settings. Submit lesson plans for the full class activity. 1st formative assessment by
cooperating teacher.
5-6
Continue observations and assume responsibility for 2 lessons.
Practice team teaching for a third
lesson. Observe other teachers.
Evaluate student progress. Do
self reflection paper. Submit lesson plans. 1st informal observation by field advisor.
7-8
Continue observations and assume responsibility for two additional lessons.
Submit lesson plans and evaluate
student progress. Work with other teachers and parents as applicable. 2nd formative assessment.
9-12
Assume responsibility for all lessons.
Submit lesson plans and evaluate
student progress. Work with other teachers and parents as applicable. Take PPR. 3rd formative
assessment. 2nd informal observation by field advisor. Summative assessment by cooperating teacher.
13
Begin phase out of the clinical
teacher. Continue to work with
small groups.
Do self reflection paper. Meet
with cooperating teacher and field
advisor.
14
Observe closing school activities.
Apply for Standard certificate.
Recommendation for certificate
by executive director.
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Preparation/Assessment
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Procedural
Handbook
STUDENT TEACHING OPTION
Student Teaching Fee Schedule and Conditions
In addition to the conditions set out in the Student Teachers Agreements document, the following conditions apply.
To obtain a recommendation for a Standard Certificate, ECAP student teachers must complete the payment of all fees.
The following fees apply to all student teachers
Fee Schedule:
Application
ECAP Academy Pre-Study
ECAP Academy
Student Teaching Placement Fee
Training and Support
Total Fees
$50
$100
$400
$100
$3400
$4050
The Training and Support fee payments ($3400) must be received in accordance with the appropriate schedule below:
Fall Semester Interns
Payment #1
Payment #2
Payment #3
Payment #4
Amount
$850
$850
$850
$850
Due Date
September 15th
October 15th
November 15th
December 15th
Spring Semester Interns
Payment #1
Payment #2
Payment #3
Payment #4
Amount
$850
$850
$850
$850
Due Date
February 15th
March 15th
April 15th
May 15th
ECAP will send an invoice as a reminder of the payment due dates above, however Student Teachers are
responsible for maintaining payments regardless of receipt status of an invoice.
Conditions:
 All fees paid to ECAP are non-refundable.
 For any items returned unpaid a $25.00 NSF fee will be assessed.
 For ECAP Academy payments received after the due date a $25.00 late fee will be
assessed
 For Training and Support payments received after the due date a $25.00 late fee will
be assessed
 A $10.00 maintenance fee will be assessed for any incomplete course in which the
intern needs to be re-enrolled. The enrollment period for each course is one calendar
year.
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Handbook
POLICIES
The Preliminary (Probationary) Certificate
Once an intern is considered highly qualified and has been fully accepted to ECAP, a Statement of Eligibility will
be issued. This statement indicates that upon the offer and acceptance of a teaching contract, ECAP will recommend that a Probationary Certificate be issued by the state.
The intern must apply for the probationary certificate through the TEA website, using the instructions provided by ECAP, and then notify ECAP that the application has been made. ECAP will verify the teaching contract
with the school district and recommend the certificate.
Further instructions are available via logging in at www.ecapteach.com
Late Hire Policy
If an intern is hired for a qualified teaching position after June 14 coursework will be required as follows:
Due by the end of your first teaching semester:
PROB101 - Field Based Experience (40 hours)
PROB104 - New Classroom Management Web Based (30 hours)
INTN310 - Lesson Planning: Elements (20 hours)
INTN342 - Web 2.0: Legal Issues in Technology (10 hours)
INTN322 – Pedagogy (20 hours)
Due by February 28th :
INTN330 – PPR Face to Face Review (6 hours)
Due by the end of your first teaching year:
INTN346 – Techtactics (40 hours)
Due by August 1st:
ECAP Academy (160 hours)
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POLICIES
Transfer Policy
Transferees to and from ECAP are required to fill out a transfer form. This form can be requested via email
from any ECAP representative or by calling 817-284-7731. The candidate and releasing Educator Preparation
Program must complete their respective sections first. The Admitting Educator Preparation Program will complete the form and indicate the transfer in the candidate record.
Withdrawal Policy
Participants wishing to withdraw from ECAP, may do so via email or physical mail. ECAP will reply via email
upon executing the withdrawal. Once withdrawn, participants must submit a new application if they wish to
return to the program. Re-Admittance will be considered on a case to case basis.
Inactive Participant Policy
Participants may retain credit for completed training for a period of five years. If final certification is not
achieved prior to five years from training, or if no progress toward certification is achieved within a three year
period the Participant is considered inactive. At this point reapplication will be required and re-admittance
will be considered on a case to case basis.
Dismissal Policy
Participants are expected to adhere to the Educator’s Code of Conduct and to present a professional demeanor during training events, in the classroom and on campus. Severe infractions to this policy could result in dismissal from the program. Examples include, but are not limited to, repeated tardiness or absences, insubordination, and failure to provide a safe academic, emotional and physical environment for children.
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POLICIES
Extension of the Probationary Certificate
Definitions:
Extension based on Principal and/or Field Supervisor recommendation
Improvement is needed in the classroom due to classroom management,
strength of lesson delivery or other concerns. This level of need requires
Field Supervisor visits.
Extension due to coursework
Intern has not completed all courses required for certification (TAC 19
228.35). Field Supervisor Visits may not be required.
Extension due to tests
Intern has not passed the test(s) required for certification (TAC 19 230.5 (b)).
Field Supervisor Visits may not be required.
Roles of ECAP Supervisors
Field Supervisor (TAC 19 228.2 (10)) (TAC 19 228.35 (7)(D)(f))
Observe intern’s instructional practices, monitor performance, and provide
constructive feedback to improve intern’s professional performance.
ECAP Consultant
Guide the intern through the certification process, including course work and
tests required. Provide professional advice leading to certification.
Procedures
Based upon TAC rule and TEA guidance, the level for support and type of guidance is
based upon the intern’s individual need.
“Additional support for probationary extensions was shown differently depending on
the candidate’s situation. If the candidate did not have a successful internship/
clinical teaching experience, another opportunity was provided with additional observations. If the issue was unsuccessful testing, the candidate was not observed,
but support for test remediation was provided” (citation: EPP compliance audit 20112012)
If an intern is extended beyond the preliminary internship period, remediation will
be delivered or assigned following the remediation matrix.
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POLICIES
Program Extension/Remediation Matrix
Extension based on
Principal and/or Field
Supervisor recommendation
ECAP will retain documentation of performance deficiencies as well as
instructions, assignments and other guidance materials related to intern
performance. ECAP will document the communication of clear performance expectations to the intern and assign a field supervisor who will
monitor and support intern in best practices, focusing on the points addressed in the intern’s performance documentation.
The term of this extension will be a full contract year unless otherwise stipulated by ECAP.
(Supervisor/Advisor visits
will be required)
*If an intern does not show success in the classroom after two years, ECAP
will not support him/her on a third probationary certificate, unless extenuating circumstances apply.
Extension due to
coursework
The intern will be given the opportunity to complete or repeat any required
coursework in order to satisfy quantitative and qualitative directives as per
the Texas Education Code.
In addition to normal grading practices, ECAP will perform periodic audits
of coursework and communicate progress or lack thereof to the intern.
The term of this extension is not predetermined. Certification may occur as
soon as requirements are satisfied.
(Supervisor/Advisor visits
may be required)
TAC 19.228.35
Extension due to testing or procedural requirements
The intern will receive an extension in order to satisfy state testing or other
procedural requirements for the standard certificate.
The term of this extension is not predetermined. Certification may occur as
soon as requirements are satisfied.
(Supervisor/Advisor visits
may be required)
TAC 16.230.5(b)
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POLICIES
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Procedural
Handbook
Complaint/Grievance Resolution Process
The policy for complaints and grievances is intended to provide an orderly process for the prompt and equitable resolution when a concern arises. This process is designed with the intent to address and resolve grievances at the lowest administrative level where possible.
Level 1 (Informal) – All grievances must begin with an officer of ECAP. This will be an informal meeting via
phone, email or personal conference to bring to the attention of ECAP any issue of concern. An informal response via phone, email or conference will be provided within ten (10) working days pertaining to the remedy
of the concern. If the response is unsatisfactory the grievance may be moved to Level Two.
Level Two – The grievance must be presented in writing to the Executive Director or the Executive Director’s
representative within ten (10) working days after receipt of the Level One decision. The written grievance
must provide the following:





The concern to be addressed (please include your full name)
Classification of concern; Statutory or Local *
Facts related to the concern
Any documentation supporting the facts of concern
People involved with the concern (i.e. ECAP staff, ECAP Field Advisor, Campus Mentor and/or Campus
Administrator)
Any other pertinent information to the issue
A formal response in writing will be provided within ten (10) working days pertaining to the remedy of the
concern. If the response is unsatisfactory the grievance may be moved to Level Three.
*Statutory - Issues involving Texas Education Agency (TEA), Education code (TAC) or other rule.
Local – Issues involving
Support from ECAP (i.e. Field Advisors, ECAP Staff, etc.)
Financial
Systems (i.e. Technology, service level, courses)
Grades
Level Three – The request for Level 3 grievance must be presented in writing to the Executive Director or the
Executive Director’s representative within ten (10) working days after receipt of the Level Two decision. The
statement must provide:

A request for review of the Executive Director’s decision, by the ECAP Advisory Committee
The written grievance provided at Level Two of the complaint process
The decision by the Advisory Committee will be provided in writing to the complainant within 21 Business
days.
If the complaint falls under the Jurisdiction of Texas Education Agency (TEA) the complaint may be referred to
them in writing.
The official TEA complaint process can be found at www.tea.texas.gov in the banner located at the bottom of
the page and then select “Educator Preparation Programs”.
You may fax your submission to (512) 463-9008 or email it to [email protected].
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